NASA Will Pay You $3 Million to Build the Ultimate Space Toilet
Let’s
face it: when we dream of space, we usually picture astronauts floating
gracefully in zero gravity, gazing at Earth from above, or walking proudly on
the Moon. But here’s a reality check—those same astronauts also have to pee and poop
just like the rest of us. And in space, doing so isn’t as simple as flushing a
toilet.
In fact, it’s so complex that NASA is offering up to $3 million to
anyone who can help them solve one of the most awkward yet essential challenges
in space travel: designing a better toilet.
Why
Toilets in Space Are a Big Deal
On Earth, gravity does all the heavy
lifting. Waste drops down, water flows, and everything goes where it’s supposed
to. But in space, gravity isn’t there to
help. That means waste tends to float around—a nightmare situation
when you’re in a sealed capsule hurtling through the cosmos.
Now imagine you’re in a spaceship for
months. What happens when the toilet breaks down? Or worse, leaks?
You can’t exactly open a window.
That’s why space toilets are not just a
convenience—they’re a life support system.
They protect astronauts from disease, control odor, prevent contamination, and
in some cases, even recycle waste into water. With upcoming missions aiming to
send humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond,
a simple and reliable toilet is more important than ever.
A
Glimpse into Today’s Space Toilets
NASA already has toilets onboard the
International Space Station (ISS). The latest one, called the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS),
is a high-tech marvel. It uses airflow instead of water to pull waste away from
the body, separates liquids and solids, and even recycles urine into clean
water.
Sounds fancy, right?
It is. But here’s the catch: it cost over $23 million, weighs over 100
pounds, and still isn’t perfect. It’s bulky, complex, and not suited for future
space missions where weight, space, and
simplicity are critical. NASA needs something better—something smaller, lighter, more efficient, and cheaper.
And that’s where you (yes, YOU) come in.
The
$3 Million Space Toilet Challenge
NASA is putting their money where their
mouth is. Through programs like NextSTEP
and SBIR (Small Business Innovation
Research), they’re offering up to $3 million in funding to companies, inventors, startups,
researchers, or even students who can build the toilet of the future.
This isn’t just a theoretical design
contest. They’re looking for real,
working prototypes. Your creation could end up being part of a Moon
base, a Martian habitat, or even the spacecraft that ferries humans into deep
space.
Think about it—your toilet could
literally go where no toilet has gone before.
What
NASA Wants in a Space Toilet
So, what exactly does a winning toilet
look like? NASA has laid out a wish list of features, and it’s not short. The
next-generation space toilet should:
- Work in microgravity
(zero gravity) AND lunar gravity
(1/6 of Earth’s gravity).
- Be suitable for both men and women.
- Handle liquid
and solid waste at the same time.
- Use very
little power and water.
- Be compact,
lightweight, and odor-free.
- Be easy to clean, maintain, and operate.
- Prevent any chance of leakage or contamination.
- Ideally, recycle or process waste into usable material like water or
fertilizer.
Basically, NASA wants a toilet that’s a
cross between a high-tech lab, a vacuum cleaner, and a spaceship.
No pressure, right?
Innovation is Already Flowing
NASA first dipped its toes into the
toilet innovation pool back in 2020 with the Lunar Loo Challenge hosted on HeroX. They invited the
public to submit ideas for toilets that could work on the Moon and in
microgravity.
People from all over the world
responded—engineers, students, inventors, even parents. The winning designs ranged
from vacuum-powered capsules to gravity-assisted rotating drums, showing
that fresh ideas can come from anywhere.
And now, with even more funding and
interest, NASA is calling for builders to bring those ideas to life.
Helping Earth by Solving Space Problems
Here’s something amazing: solving the
space toilet problem might also transform
sanitation here on Earth.
Right now, over 4.2 billion people live without access to safely managed
sanitation. That’s more than half the planet. The ultra-efficient, waterless
toilet NASA needs for space could be revolutionary
for remote villages, refugee camps, and disaster zones back home.
Imagine a compact, solar-powered,
waste-recycling toilet that doesn’t need plumbing or sewage lines. That’s not
just good for astronauts—that’s life-changing for millions.
This is where space innovation meets global impact.
Wild Ideas
That Just Might Work
So, what kind of genius designs have
been proposed so far? Here are a few mind-blowing concepts that made NASA’s
shortlist:
- Centrifugal Toilets: Use
spinning motion to simulate gravity and separate waste.
- Foam Toilets: Replace
water with expanding foam to trap and break down waste.
- Smart Toilets: Track
health data through waste analysis.
- Burn-to-Dust Systems: Turn
solid waste into sterile ash.
- Bioreactor Toilets: Convert
waste into fertilizer or even methane gas for energy.
Clearly, this challenge isn’t just about
plumbing—it’s about engineering, biology,
chemistry, and creativity all rolled into one.
Who
Can Apply (Spoiler: Maybe You)
If you’re thinking this challenge is
only for NASA insiders or big aerospace firms—think again. The agency is actively
inviting:
- Solo inventors
- Engineering students
- Research labs
- Sanitation startups
- Tech firms
- Universities
Whether you’re a bathroom enthusiast or
a brilliant tinkerer, your idea has a shot. All you need is a working prototype, testing data, and a passion
for innovation.
It’s open season for inventors with
guts—and strong stomachs.
Health, Hygiene, and Human Survival
It’s easy to laugh at the idea of
high-stakes toilet design, but it’s deadly serious. Waste in space isn’t just
gross—it’s dangerous.
Uncontained waste can spread bacteria,
cause infections, and contaminate the air. A broken toilet on a space mission
could lead to illness or even force an emergency return to Earth.
And don’t forget, future missions to
Mars might last two to three years.
That’s a long time to be without a solid bathroom plan.
This is about safety, hygiene, and keeping astronauts alive and sane
during the longest, most isolated journeys humans have ever taken.
Bonus: Toilets That Talk
One exciting twist? NASA’s future
toilets may also double as health
monitors.
By analyzing urine and feces, smart
toilets could give early warning signs of dehydration, kidney issues,
infections, or other health problems. It’s like having a mini doctor onboard—no
stethoscope needed.
Imagine a space toilet that alerts
mission control when an astronaut needs more water or is developing a medical
issue. That’s space medicine meets
sanitation technology, and it’s as cool as it is crucial.
The
Future of Toilets: From Mars to Hotels in Orbit
Private space companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin
Galactic are preparing for space
tourism. That means regular folks (with a lot of money) will soon be
heading to orbit—and they’ll expect decent restrooms.
The toilets of the future won’t just
serve astronauts. They’ll be part of space
hotels, Moon bases, and Mars habitats. They’ll need to be:
- Private and comfortable
- Clean and quiet
- Fast and reliable
Nobody wants to float in a luxury suite
only to find out the toilet is "out of order."
So, designing the perfect space toilet
isn’t just a NASA problem—it’s a multi-billion-dollar
opportunity in the growing space economy.
How
to Apply for the Space Toilet Challenge
Think you’ve got what it takes? Here’s
where to get started:
- HeroX.com – Follow the latest space
toilet challenges and updates.
- SBIR.gov – See how startups and
small businesses can win NASA contracts.
- NASA TechPort – Find
details on current space technology needs.
- Grants.gov – Track government funding
opportunities.
Each program has specific deadlines,
application processes, and criteria. But if you’ve got the passion, it’s worth
the paperwork.
And who knows? Your design might just be
the one astronauts thank while floating around the Moon.
Final Flush: Why This Toilet Challenge Matters
Let’s be real—this is more than just a
funny headline. NASA’s $3 million toilet challenge is a call to innovators across the globe. It’s about
rethinking what’s possible, solving problems others ignore, and making human
life in space sustainable.
It’s about bringing dignity, comfort,
and health to astronauts—and potentially to billions of people on Earth.
So whether you’re an engineer, an
inventor, a student, or just someone with a brilliant idea, this is your
chance. Flush the old rules. Think big. Build something extraordinary.
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